Julia Walczak, a nursing student at COD-Benedictine University, is enacting an HPV education and vaccination initiative in the Chicagoland Polish American Community. She will be going to Polish schools throughout the area and educating both high school students and parents on the importance of vaccination. She will also be educating Polish American college students on reproductive health and setting up a cohesive help desk focusing on Access-to-Care, utilities assistance, mental health help, and other social and healthcare related resources available to the community in one location. Julia hopes to raise $1,000. $500 will go towards a projector and portable screen and Polish/English Language literature for the HPV portion of the initiative, while the other $500 will go towards the resources needed to set up the help desk (print outs, a physical desk/booth, and potentially a website).

The Schweitzer Fellowship is a year-long service learning program for graduate students in health-related professions who will design and implement innovative direct service projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of underserved Chicago area communities. Through their community projects and participation in a year-long program that includes mentoring support, monthly meetings, written reflection, and interprofessional collaboration, Schweitzer Fellows are developing the skills and confidence needed to become Leaders in Service—professionals who will remain dedicated to public service and to creating change.

In the summer of 2019, the Schweitzer Fellows for Life network launched Fellows Fest 2019, a campaign to help support our current Fellows' projects. Each of the Fellows has created a "wish list" of supplies and resources that will help them realize their service project goals. We also invite you to join us for our Fellows Fest event taking place on September 17th, 6-8pm in Chicago. Click here for more info and to RSVP.

The Chicago Areas Schweitzer Fellowship is a program of Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. Your Summer Fest donation will appear on your credit card statement at "Health & Medicine."